larry bird height and wingspan

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larry bird height and wingspan

Larry Bird Dimensions & Drawings | Dimensions.com . Although he announced his departure around that time, he reclaimed his post as team president in the summer of 2013. I've got a theory that if you give 100 percent all of the time, somehow things will work out in the end. Rajon Rondo only stands 61, but has a wingspan that stretches to 69. A 6-foot-9 forward who could dribble, pass and shoot the way Bird could made him one of the greatest NBA players. [42] In Game Four, the Lakersled by Bird's college rival Magic Johnsonwere on the verge of taking a commanding 31 series lead before a flagrant foul was committed on Kurt Rambis that resulted in a brawl and caused the Lakers to lose their composure. He was a raw athlete out of the Democratic Republic of Congo, having only picked up the sport at the age of 16. [39] At the conclusion of the season, he earned his first All-Defensive Team selection. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Larry Bird DraftExpress Profile: scouting reports, videos, stats and logs. Larry Bird - College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com [121], In 1975, Bird married Janet Condra. These heights are still well below the NBA average and well below Kareem's height of 7'2". Larry Bird weighed 220 lbs (99 kg) when playing. Because as previously discussed, Bird was an outstanding shooter. At either end of the spectrum, the measurement would be considered elite. Biyombo has been playing center for Charlotte over the course of the past 3 years, and at 69, is one of the smaller centers in the league, but the wingspan more than makes up for the height deficiency. Height 1 Feet 9.5 Inch Weight 100 kg Personal Info Date of Birth 1956, December 7 Age 65 Years Old Famous Name Country United States US Facts Birth Name Larry Joe Bird Net Worth $55 million Currently Married Yes Birth Country West Baden Springs, Indiana Married to Dannah Mattingly Famous Name Larry Past married if any Janet Condra Children Yes During the 1980s, either Boston or Los Angeles appeared in every NBA Finals. In 1999, he was listed at No. We have tools and resources that can help you use sports data. Alonzo Mourning had a decorated NBA career as a seven-time all-star who had two Defensive Player of the Year awards and one NBA title. The dramatic play saved the series for the Celtics. We present them here for purely educational purposes. [20] Bird also appeared in one game for the baseball team, going 1-for-2 with 2 RBI. His concentration and composure were unrivaled as well, and he established himself as one of the most unshakable and driven players in the NBA. In, Career statistics and player information from, This page was last edited on 28 February 2023, at 21:21. 2", "Atlanta Hawks at Boston Celtics Box Score, December 9, 1984", "Relive the Moment: Larry Bird Easily Wins Inaugural 3-Point Contest After Asking Field Who Would Finish Second", "Detroit Pistons at Boston Celtics Box Score, November 27, 1985", "Boston Celtics at Dallas Mavericks Box Score, March 10, 1986", "Larry Legend Bird wins third straight MVP", "Houston Rockets at Boston Celtics Box Score, June 8, 1986", "Converse Commercial (1986) with Larry Bird and Magic Johnson", "Bird's Garden Party: Celtics Make It a Magical Night for Larry Legend", "Against All Those Hawks, One Bird Is Enough for Celtics", "Legendary Moments in NBA History: Larry Bird and Dominique Wilkins battle in Game 7", "Bird Bids Farewell, Retires From Celtics", "Dream Team a star-studded sight to behold for gazers on, off court", "The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame - Hall of Famers", "10 reasons we still love Larry Bird on his 60th birthday", "PRO BASKETBALL; A Bashful Larry Bird Joins Hall Of Fame", "The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Hall of Famers", "1992 Dream Team Inducted into Hall of Fame", It started in Sacramento: LeBron James, back in NBA Finals, makes our all-time starting 5, "Who's The Best Small Forward Of All Time: Larry Bird Or LeBron James? If it goes, it goes.". As listed, his height is 6 ft 9 inches (2.06m), and his weight is 220lb (100kg). 30 on ESPN SportsCentury's list of 50 Greatest Athletes of the 20th century. Along with Johnson, who also entered the NBA in 1979 with the Los Angeles Lakers, Bird was a key figure in revitalizing the league in the 1980s. Nicknamed "Larry Legend" or "The Hick from French Lick," Bird played the small forward and power forward positions. USA. Clutch Shooter Shot attempts made during the final moments of the fourth quarter or overtime receive a large boost. [80][81] He was inducted into the Hall of Fame again in 2010, as a member of the "Dream Team". [50] One of Bird's career highlights occurred at the 1986 NBA All-Star Weekend when he walked into the locker room at the inaugural Three-Point Shootout and asked who was going to finish second before winning the shootout. 6 ft 9 in or 206 cm. The Best Michael Jordan Build in NBA 2K22, How to Set Realistic Game Sliders in NBA 2K22, Teams With the Most Cap Space in NBA 2K22 MyGM. [8][14], Bird's youngest brother, Eddie Bird, also played basketball at Indiana State University. [114] Bird resigned his head coaching position shortly after the end of the 2000 season, following through on his initial promise to coach for only three years. [119] Bird returned to the Pacers as president of basketball operations in 2013. Larry Bird was such a player. Kevin McHale was one of the best players of the 1980s. Even though he was a superstar, he also had no problem doing the dirty work, like playing hard-nose defense and hustling for loose balls. Thus, you have to upgrade the Break Starter badge. Join our linker program. All logos are the trademark & property of their owners and not Sports Reference LLC. Thank you! [99] He sometimes practiced shooting three-point shots with his eyes closed. During the early parts of his career, he even started at power forward for Boston. West was known for his extremely quick jump shot, and when coupled with his length, it formed one of the deadliest jump shots in NBA history. Not since Bill Russell squared off against Wilt Chamberlain had professional basketball enjoyed such a marquee matchup. Deadeye Jump shots attempted with a defender closing out in front of the player will suffer a lower penalty. It was Larry Bird's height that made his basketball skills so remarkable. NBA 2K23 Larry Bird Packs Card Name Overall Position Offense Defense Height Wingspan Weight Badges Total Stats Larry Bird Premium End Game 99 SF/PF 99 99 6'9 7'0 220 lbs 0, 0, 0, 80 3366 Larry Bird Premium Invincible 99 PG/SF 99 99 6'9 7'0 220 lbs 0, 0, 13, 65 3365 Larry Bird Premium Continue reading "NBA 2K23 Larry Bird Packs Card Challenge" A comprehensive reference database of dimensioned drawings documenting the standard measurements and sizes of the everyday objects and spaces that make up our world. Fade Ace This provides a shot boost to post fadeaways. Available in 3DM (Rhino), OBJ (NURB), SKP(Sketchup)formats, Dimensions.com is a project by Fantastic Offense, Dimensions is a project by Fantastic Offense. [69] Following Bird's departure, the Celtics promptly retired his jersey number 33. Lastly, the wingspan can be reduced to around 83.0 inches. Get to know Larry Bird: Stats, records and more - RSN When they mention length, they are not talking about a player's height, but more so his wingspan. Drafted by the Boston Celtics with the sixth overall pick in the 1978 NBA draft after his second year at Indiana State, Bird elected to stay in college and returned for the 19781979 season. Have you heard of the 50-40-90 club? Mourning was blessed with God given length, but it was his heart and passion for the game that ultimately made him one of the best that ever stepped on an NBA court. [103] Bird was also referred to as "Larry Legend". Larry Bird's bio Height: 6-foot-9 Weight: 220 pounds Birthdate: Dec. 7, 1956 College: Indiana State NBA experience: 13 years Jersey number: 33 Larry Bird's career NBA stats Here are some of Larry Bird's notable career achievements and statistics: Three-time NBA champion (1981, 1984, 1986) Two-time NBA Finals MVP (1984, 1986) Durant is a prime example that elite length, when combined with elite skills, make a truly special player. This will give your shooting attributes a bit of a boost. Larry Bird Stats and news - NBA stats and news on Boston Celtics Forward Larry Bird. [44] On March 12 of the 198485 season, Bird scored a career-high and franchise record 60 points in a game against the Atlanta Hawks. Question, Comment, Feedback, or Correction? Our reasoning for presenting offensive logos. [120] He continued to serve as an advisor until July, 2022, when he "stepped back from maintaining an active role with the Indiana Pacers". Our reasoning for presenting offensive logos. Subscribed! ", "Kobe Bryant, Larry Bird, Michael Jordan, and the 10 Best Closers in NBA History", "Ranking 10 Most Clutch Players in NBA History", "StaTuesday: Bucks' Malcolm Brogdon on pace for rare 50-40-90 season", "How Larry Bird won the first 3 All-Star shootouts", "Professor LeBron delivered a history lesson on Larry Bird's legendary game", "Larry Bird in photos: The 'Hick from French Lick' becomes Celtics legend", "Talking the talk: An '86 Celtics trash-talking tale", "Kevin McHale shares a classic Larry Bird trash talk story", "On This Day 22 Years Ago, the NBA's Best Trash Talker Retired", "Dennis Rodman recounts how Larry Bird schooled him in '87 playoffs", "Larry Bird and Magic Johnson Receive NBA Lifetime Achievement Award", "Bird Shoots for Coaching Greatness With the Pacers", "After the NBA Finals, Larry Bird Will Quit as Indiana's Coach. Updated daily. [6] He stepped down again in 2017, but stayed with the team in an advisory capacity. Last edited on 28 February 2023, at 21:21, retired by Springs Valley High Blackhawks, 1992 United States men's Olympic basketball team, Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, United States men's national basketball team, List of career achievements by Larry Bird, List of National Basketball Association career assists leaders, List of National Basketball Association career playoff assists leaders, List of National Basketball Association career playoff free throw scoring leaders, List of National Basketball Association career playoff rebounding leaders, List of National Basketball Association career playoff scoring leaders, List of National Basketball Association career playoff steals leaders, List of National Basketball Association career playoff turnovers leaders, List of National Basketball Association career scoring leaders, List of National Basketball Association career steals leaders, List of National Basketball Association career turnovers leaders, List of National Basketball Association players with most points in a game, List of National Basketball Association players with most steals in a game, List of National Basketball Association annual minutes leaders, List of NBA players who have spent their entire career with one franchise, List of NCAA Division I men's basketball career scoring leaders, List of NCAA Division I men's basketball players with 2000 points and 1000 rebounds, "Big Threes Beyond the Boston Celtics & Miami Heat: 50 Best Trios in NBA History", Fox Sports: Top 10 small forwards in NBA history, "Larry Bird resigns as Indiana Pacers president for second time", Larry Bird: Hall of Fame Basketball Superstar, "EDDIE BIRD HAS A TOUGH ACT TO FOLLOW AT INDIANA STATE", "Boston's Larry Bird, in what may be his finest season, gets Red Auerbach's voteover Bill Russellas the best ever", "Throwback Thursday: Celtics Draft Larry Bird Sixth Overall", "The story of how rookie phenom Larry Bird led the NBA's greatest turnaround season", "Larry Bird's baseball career: A lofty .500 batting average", "Houston Rockets at Boston Celtics Box Score, October 12, 1979", "Detroit Pistons at Boston Celtics Box Score, November 14, 1979", "Indiana Pacers at Boston Celtics Box Score, November 23, 1979", "5 best players in Boston Celtics history", "NBA expert panel: Warriors not the greatest of all time, or even No. He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame twice as a playerfirst in 1998 as an individual, and again in 2010 as a member of the "Dream Team". Larry, there will never, ever be another Larry Bird. That length helped him become one of the most prolific shot blocker in league history. Learn more and register. Boston Celtics, 1st round (6th pick, 6th overall), 1978 NBA Draft, Hall of Fame: Inducted as Player in 1998 (Full List), More Larry Bird pages at Sports Reference. All rights reserved. I agree to receive the "CBS Sports HQ Newsletter" and marketing communications, updates, special offers (including partner offers), and other information from CBS Sports and the Paramount family of companies. Larry Bird and Magic Johnson are known to be "one of the greatest rivalries in sports. Wingspan is a key measurement because it allows a player of a lesser stature to compete with players who may be physically taller than them. Larry Bird averaged 24.3 points, 10.0 rebounds, and 6.3 assists per game. Falling out of bounds, Bird turned and passed the ball to teammate Dennis Johnson, who converted a game-winning 2-point layup with less than a second left. To advance the ball down the court, players must bounce the ball (dribble) or pass it to a teammate. [115] Bird then led the Pacers to consecutive Central Division titles in 1999 and 2000 and a berth in the 2000 NBA Finals. Kevin Durant stands 610 and has a 75 wingspan. [113] Despite having no previous coaching experience, Bird led the Pacers to a 5824 recordthe franchise's best as an NBA team at the timein the 199798 season,[114] and pushed the Chicago Bulls to seven games in the Eastern Conference Finals. To put that into perspective that is only one inch shorter than Shaq's wingspan. What he used was his strength and court sense to outmaneuver and outrebound opponents. The 73 wing span is 11.5% greater than his height. Do you have a sports website? For the defense/rebounding badges, there will only be a limited number of options. Unfortunately, a trade-off with this player archetype is that there will be fewer points available for the others. The problem for Bol was his offensive game was non-existent. 1. His mother, Cora Lillian, had an above average height at six feet. Larry Bird | Biography & Facts | Britannica KG Living Legend Don Nelson Posts: 8383 The 7'3 wing span is 11.5% greater than his height. Larry Bird Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft Status and more Bird averaged 10.0 rebounds per game in his career. [40] Boston's misfortunes continued into the next season, with Bird again finishing second in MVP voting to Malone and the team losing in the Conference Semifinals to the Milwaukee Bucks. Height: 5 feet 5 inches (167 cm) Weight: 56 kg (123 lb) Eye Colour: Hazel: Hair Colour: Golden: Shoe Size: N/A: Martial Status: Married: Husband: Larry Bird . College basketball games are played with two 20 minute periods, while professional NBA basketball games consist of four quarters of 12 minutes each. [86][87][88] He was selected to 12 NBA All-Star teams. Larry Bird Insane Peak From 1980-1988 (Consistent Top MVP - reddit Even when considering his height, the wingspan is still 12.1% larger than his body. [24][14][25] Shortly afterwards, NBA draft eligibility rules were changed to prevent teams from drafting players before they were ready to sign, a rule known as the Bird Collegiate Rule. Bird excelled in almost all facets of basketball. That would have been a 17% increase on his height. Scottie Pippen stood 68 inches, but had a wingspan of 73, which is modest in comparison to some of the other players on this list, but Pippen used that length to its full extent. Chew on these numbers for a moment. The losses of Moses Malone (60 years old), Darryl Dawkins (58), Anthony Mason (48), Christian Welp (51) and Jack Haley (51) all in the last year are a reminder of Bird's and others' contemporaries and peers during their playing days passing away far too young. [76] The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame called the team "the greatest collection of basketball talent on the planet". Wilt Chamberlain is part of many extraordinary tales and finding accurate data on the legendary big man is no small feat. [109] Since 2022, the NBA will award the MVPs for the Conference Finals; the Eastern Conference Finals MVP trophy is named in Bird's honor, while the Western Conference trophy is named after Johnson. [53] On March 10, 1986, Bird scored 50 points to go along with 11 rebounds and 5 assists in a 115116 loss to the Dallas Mavericks. An option for your characters secondary skill is playmaking. It's a given that most players are listed 1-1.5 inches taller than they're actual heights since they're measured with shoes. [83] While he was relatively slow, Bird displayed a knack for anticipating the moves of his opponent, making him a strong team defender. The Hick from French Lick was the first ever to join the club. Bird was also a member of the gold medal-winning 1992 United States men's Olympic basketball team known as the "Dream Team". Rajon Rondo is currently one of the best point guards in the league. Remembering Just Fontaine and His World Cup Record, Your Privacy Choices: Opt Out of Sale/Targeted Ads, Name: Larry Bird, Birth Year: 1956, Birth date: December 7, 1956, Birth State: Indiana, Birth City: West Baden Springs, Birth Country: United States. [49] The risk paid off; Walton's acquisition helped Boston win a league best 67 games. Join our newsletter! Underscoring his place in the game's history, he was named one of the NBA's Top 50 players in 1996, and inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1998. [5] He was named NBA Executive of the Year for the 2012 season. The summer of 1992 marked the first time the United States sent professional athletes to the Olympic Games. Other vital statistics like weight or shoe size measurements have been sourced from newspapers, books, resumes or social media. Bird got his 3rd 2nd team all defense in 84, it's not like he was slouch on that end, even if Lebron was the better defender. In eight games, Bird averaged 8.4 points. They each had charisma, deft shooting touch, extraordinary passing skills, and team-oriented mindset that ignited their team and the crowd. Unfortunately he's had a difficult time keeping pace with the speed of the NBA, and his limited offensive game has come to light. Hit the button below and we'll send this post to your inbox! Because of this, you can just focus on what Bird was exceptionally good at. [21] He eventually finished runner-up in Most Valuable Player Award voting to Moses Malone. Any data prior to that is not a guarantee, and much of it is urban legend that grew a life of its own. The following top 15 will look at the most impressive wingspans in NBA history. During the 1992 Eastern Conference semi-finals against the Cleveland Cavaliers, Bird missed four of the seven games due to recurring back problems. [96] Bird was the first player in NBA history to shoot 50% or better on field goals, 40% on three-pointers, and 90% on free-throws in a single NBA season while achieving the league minimum for makes in each category. Bird is universally regarded as one of the greatest basketball players of all time. Increasing the height will give these attributes a huge boost anyway. Jason Maxiell was drafted by the Detroit Pistons in the 1st round of the 2005 draft. Larry Bird has dated - Janet Condra - Larry Bird was previously married to his high school sweetheart Janet Condra with whom he had a daughter named Corrie. When Jordan played it was an open secret that players lied about their heights. For 13 seasons with the Boston Celtics, from 1979-80 through 1991-92, Bird personified hustle, consistency and excellence in all areas of play as a scorer, a. Mock Archives 2017 Mock Draft 2016 Mock Draft . Durant is what is referred to as a hop shooter, something rare for a player of his height. He is not dating anyone. CBS Sports is a registered trademark of CBS Broadcasting Inc. Commissioner.com is a registered trademark of CBS Interactive Inc. site: media | arena: nba | pageType: stories | [61] The historical rift between the teams, which faced each other several times in championship series of the 1960s, fueled fan interest in the rivalry. [16][17][18] He had a successful three-year career with the Sycamores, helping them reach the NCAA tournament for the first time in school history with a 330 record where they played the 1979 championship game against Michigan State. The World's Most Entertaining Car Website. Larry Bird Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft Status and more | Basketball-Reference.com Larry Bird Larry Joe Bird (Larry Legend, The Hick from French Lick, Kodak, The Great White Hope) Position: Small Forward and Power Forward Shoots: Right 6-9 , 220lb (206cm, 99kg) More bio, uniform, draft, salary info Hall of Fame 12x All Star w/ shoes Weight Wingspan Standing Reach. [36] Boston fell behind 31 to start the series but won the next three games to advance to the Finals against the Houston Rockets,[37] winning in six games and earning Bird his first championship. The reason the Bobcats took a risk on this extremely raw player was due to his freakish wingspan. Bird's basketball prowess earned him an athletic scholarship to Indiana University, where he was to play for legendary coach Bob Knight. When he was on fire from the three-point line or mid-range, no one can stop him. In 1997 Bird accepted the head coach position with the Indiana Pacers, a move that returned him to his home state. This has lead some to believe that he is still growing, while most believe it is just a case of the Pelicans stretching the truth a little. D raft E xpress. Larry Legend, The Hick from French Lick, Kodak, The Great White Hope are nicknames for Larry Bird. This year marks his 10th year in the league, and by all accounts, he's had a relative unspectacular career. Rajon Rondo's length at the point guard position makes him a one of a kind player. That athleticism when combined with his physical attributes is going to reign terror over this league for many years, and it is going to be an utter joy to watch. What is so impressive is that he has maintained those percentages despite the heavy volume of shots he takes. To be part of this group, a player must record at least 50% field goal percentage, 40% three-point field goal percentage, and 90% free throw percentage throughout a season. He considered Bird to be the greatest basketball player of all time. [3], A versatile player at both forward positions, he could play both inside and outside, being one of the first players in the league to take advantage of the newly adopted three-point line. He finished his career with sterling averages of 24.6 points and 10 rebounds per game. Johnson appeared at Bird's retirement ceremony on February 4, 1993, and emotionally described Bird as a "friend forever".[63]. LeBron was definitely a better player. Johnson and the Spartans triumphed, but Larry Bird left Indiana State that year with the USBWA College Player of the Year Award, the Naismith Award and the Wooden Award. [29] On November 23, Bird recorded his first 30-point scoring game (along with 11 rebounds and 3 assists) in a 118103 win over the Indiana Pacers. For three consecutive years, from 1984 to 1986, Bird was named the NBA's MVP, and in 1990, he hit a milestone by reaching 20,000 career points. Shooting badges will allow you to convert more field goal attempts from anywhere outside the key. Only eight other NBA players have achieved the rare feat. Takeover The game will provide you with three takeover options. 3. Larry Bird Biography, Age, Height, Wife, Net Worth, Family Larry Bird [2023 Update]: Wife, Net worth & Family - Players Bio [96], Bird is also remembered as an excellent passer[100] and defender. Larry Bird - Wikipedia Prince was never a skilled offensive player, but has been one of the best perimeter defenders of the last decade. [11] Bird has said that being poor as a child still motivates him "to this day". The Celtics won their first NBA title with Bird (and 14th overall) in 1981; they repeated with title wins in 1984 and 1986. Who was going to make the last shot? With his added length, Durant is able to get the ball in a position that is very hard to defend. the official stats partner of the NBA, NHL and MLB. For that, we have developed the best Magic Johnson build in NBA 2K22. On the offensive side, superior wingspan allows a shooter to have less shots contested, as he can get the ball further away from a defender. Your submission has been received! Copyright 2000-2023 Sports Reference LLC. 7. At 66 years old, Larry Bird height is 206 cm . Part of the reason, he admits, was his own fatalistic view of what the future would bring. On the opening night of the 2014 season, he went for 26 points, 17 boards, 3 steals, and 9 blocks. Bullet Passer Increases the velocity of passes and speeds up how quickly the player gets the ball out of their hands. 6. December 7, Legends profile: Larry Bird | NBA.com - National Basketball Association As morbid as the subject is, Bird doesn't really duck away from it and what it means for him and his family. His other playmaking strengths include quick and flashy passes. [93][94][95] In October 2021, as part of the NBA's 75th Anniversary, Bird was honored as one of the 75 greatest players of all time, by being named to the NBA's 75th Anniversary All-Time Team. Bird entered the NBA for the 19791980 season, where he made an immediate impact, starting at power forward and leading the Celtics to a 32-win improvement over the previous season before being eliminated from the playoffs in the Conference Finals. The Hick from the French Lick has got yellow-toned tan skin. The SPORTS REFERENCE and STATHEAD trademarks are owned exclusively by Sports Reference LLC. While standing 77, Bols wingspan was an unheard of 86. At the age of 19, Biyombo averaged 2.8 blocks per 36 minutes and showed some promise. The first regular-season game between the Celtics and the Lakers in the 198788 season proved to be a classic with Magic Johnson banking in an off-balance shot from near the three-point line at the buzzer for a 115114 Lakers win at Boston Garden. Corner Specialist Three-point shots taken near the baseline off the dribble or a pass are given a percentage boost. [47], During the 1985 offseason, Bird injured his back shoveling crushed rock to create a driveway at his mother's house. Biyombo stands 68, but has a wingspan that stretches out to 76. That season, the Celtics posted a 61-21 record and defeated the Houston Rockets to take the first NBA championship of Bird's career. [20] For his college career, he averaged 30.3 points, 13.3 rebounds, and 4.6 assists per game,[21] leading the Sycamores to an 8113 record during his tenure. It was Larry Bird's height that made his basketball skills so remarkable. Celebrity Fan Photos and Agency Pictures of stars are to their respective owners. Talk about all topics relevant to Pinoys around the world. What he showed us is that truly elite stats can be produced by some with almost no talent, but insanely freaky physical attributes. He chose to return to Indiana State for one more year and led the Sycamores to the NCAA championship game against the Michigan State Spartans, a team led by another future NBA superstar, Ervin .css-47aoac{-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;text-decoration-thickness:0.0625rem;text-decoration-color:inherit;text-underline-offset:0.25rem;color:#A00000;-webkit-transition:all 0.3s ease-in-out;transition:all 0.3s ease-in-out;}.css-47aoac:hover{color:#595959;text-decoration-color:border-link-body-hover;}"Magic" Johnson. What you want to prioritize are those that will help you make shots even if defenders are right by you. In his final three seasons with the Celtics, Bird averaged over 20 points, 9 rebounds and 7 assists per game, shot better than 45% from the field, and led the Celtics to playoff appearances. Conversely, the height change will cause a negative impact on perimeter defense, lateral quickness, and steal.